Squeeze driers



May 28, 1957 F. R. SIBBALD 9 SQUEEZE DRIERS Filed Nov. 30, 1953 v 4 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor y 7%4 a: Baum Attorney F. R. SIBBALD May 28, 1957 SQUEEZE DRIERS 4 Sheets$heet 2 Filed NOV. 30, 1953 A? J, WM

Attorney y 28, 1-957 F. R. SIBBALD r 2,793,519

SQUEEZEZ DRIERS Filed Nov. 30, 195:. 4 Sheets-Sheet a Inventor I fie qer/ar /Fay S/bba Id y W J, Mai/V54...

M Attorney 'May 28, 1957 F. R. SIBBALD 2,793,519

SQUEEZE DRIERS Filed Nov. 30. l953 r 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I w 57 Inuen lor SQUEEZE DRIERS Frederick Roy Sibbald, Greenford, England, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 30, 1953, Serial No. 395,201

Claims priority, application Great Britain December 1, 1952 3 Claims. c1. 68-242) This invention relates to squeeze driers such as may be incorporated in or used in association with clothes washing machines for squeezing the washing or rinsing liquid from the clothe-s.

According to the present invention a squeeze drier for squeezing liquid from clothes, comprises a flexible impervious bag to receive the clothes and a cover for the bag affording an inner discontinuous surface for engaging the clothes, having in it channels or openings communicating with a source of suction to collapse the bag and remove the liquid, and an outer surface on which the atmospheric pressure acts, the inner and outer surfaces being interconnected so that at a number of points distributed over their area the atmospheric pressure on the outer surface is directly balanced against the pressure of the clothes on the inner surface.

In one form of the invention the cover is formed'in two parts, an inner pervious lid and an outer impervious lid, means being provided for applying suction to the space between the lids to collapse the bag and remove the liquid, and the lids are interconnected, for example by projections on one or each lid engaging the other lid, to transmit pressure from one to the other and hence balance the atmospheric pressure on the outer lid against the pressure of clothes on the inner lid. Preferably the lids are interconnected at a number of points distributed over their area.

Preferably the area of the outer surface on which the atmospheric pressure acts considerably exceeds that of the inner surface on which the clothes act so as to leave a residual prmsure holding the cover closed and sealed.

Conveniently the outer lid is formed of moulded synthetic resin. It may have ribs on its inner surface while the inner lid may be indented towards the outer lid between such ribs to reduce the space enclosed between the two lids.

In a preferred arrangement the bag is supported by its mouth and is not provided with any outer water-tight casing. Thus the bag may be formed with a flange at its mouth, the cover having a surface engaging the said flange to eflect a seal with it. The flange may be clamped to a rigid ring or platform, the sealing surface of the cover engaging it outside the means by which it is so clamped. An outlet pipe connection opening through the flange may be formed integrally with the bag.

Preferably the channels or openings in the inner surface of the cover are connected to a suction pump through a conduit having no valves in it.

In one convenient construction a pressure release valve is incorporated in the cover, which may be carried by a 'hinged arm to which it is connected by a universal joint. In this case the pressure release valve may be arranged to be opened by a button incorporated in the hinged arm. Where the cover is hinged to the machine the release valve may be provided with means for automatically closing it when the cover is opened and closed again.

In one form of the invention the squeeze drier is mounted alongside. a wash ing machine contain er and has nite States Patent i 2,793,519 Patented May 28, 1957 a common outlet pipe, which may include a flexible hose, serving both the washing machine container and the squeeze drier. In this case the delivery from the suction pump is preferably arranged vertically in line with the outlet pipe whilst the delivery from the emptying pump for the container opens laterally into the outlet pipe. With this arrangement when the liquid is emptied from the washing container a certain amount of it may flow into the suction pump tending to lubricate and prime it. A valve in the delivery pipe from the emptying pump is preferably arranged near the top of the container and so located that any leakage from it will merely flow back into the washing machine container.

In the specific embodiment described below the combined washing machine and squeeze drier also embodies features claimed in the present applicants companion United States patent application Serial No. 395,221, filed November 30, 1953.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways, but one specific embodiment will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective ghost view of a combined washing machine and squeeze drier indicating generally the relative position of the various parts,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine,

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of the upper part of the squeeze drier and adjacent portions of the washing machine,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the outer lid,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the inner lid,

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation of the tap and drain pipe, and

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation of the release valve.

The invention is shown as applied to a squeeze drier incorporated in a washing machine comprising a generally rectangular outer casing 19 which has in its upper part a washing machine container 11 on the left, and a squeeze drier 12 on the right.

The washing machine container comprises a continu- 19 and 20. For operating the squeeze drier the motor Y also drives a suction pump 21 of mono type, that is to say of the type comprising a single-start screw rotor rotating orbitally in a double-start screw casing formed of rubber. The suction pump is driven through pulleys 22 and 23 and a belt 24.

The squeeze drier comprises a rubber bag 25 of circular plan shape having a side wall of frusto-conical form merging into a curved bottom wall. As shown in Figure 3 the upper edge of the rubber bag is formed with an out-turned flange 26 which rests on the margin of a large opening in a supporting platform 27 to which it is clamped by a cast ring 28 resting on it and screwed to the platform by a number of screws 29 passing through it. The cast ring is formed with a thickened curved inner periphery 30 to provide a smooth surface for engagement with the clothes.

The flange of the rubber bag extends outwardly beyond the outer periphery of the cast ring to provide a sealing surface 33 for the lid assembly, and the platform 27 is stepped and slopes down towards the bag so that this surface is normally wet.

The squeeze drier is provided with a cover, or lid assembly, comprising an outer impervious dished 54,

which may conveniently be moulded from synthetic resin, having near its periphery a rib 35 engaging the sealing surface 33 of the rubber bag to form an air-tight seal. As shown in Figure 4, the inner surface of the outer lid is formed with a grid of ribs 36 and a number of bosses 37. Within the outer lid 34 is an inner lid 38 of pressed aluminium which has in it a number of perforations 39 and which engages the outer lid at a number of points distributed over its area corresponding to the bosses 37. The inner lid is formed with indentations 4B which are pressed out towards the outer lid in the spaces between the ribs 36 so as to reduce the tQtal space between the lids, which, as described below, has. to be evacuatedby the suction pump. The inner lid is, secured to the outer lid by four screws (not seen) passing through holes 41 into the four adjacent, bosses 3. 7.

Thus when suction is applied to the space between the outer and inner lids the pressure of the clothes. upon the inner lid will be transmitted: directly through the. bosses.

37 to the outer lid and will partly balancethe pressure.

ofthe atmosphere on the outside of the latter. The bosses, and hence the points of contact, are sufiiciently close together to ensure that there are no large unsupported areas of the lids upon which the pressure might be such as to overload the material, bearing in mind that the total force on a lid, a foot in diameter may amount tov over 1500 pounds.

At one point of its circumference the cast ring 28has the pipe connection may be formed on the cast ring 28 and arranged to pass through a hole in the flange of the rubber bag.

The lid assembly is supported by a pivoted arm 50 carried by a pivot 51 so that it can be convenientlyswung away from the rubber bag. For this purpose the outer lid is formed with a part-spherical convex surface 52 cooperating with a corresponding concave surface 53 afforded by the arm, to afford a universal joint, which is also arranged to accommodate a valve for releasingthe vacuum. To this end a metal valve sleeve 54 is moulded into an opening in the outerlid at the centre of the partspherical surface and passes through a larger opening in the corresponding surface of the arm, and-carries a spring spider 55 bearing upon the upper side of the latter surface so as to hold the two part-spherical surfaces together. The upper end 56 of the valve sleeve 54 forms a seating for a valve member 57 which slides within it. The valve member may be moulded from synthetic resin and has an outwardly directed flange 58 at its upper end, and is surrounded by a packing ring59 lying against this'flange and engaging the seating 56 at the upper end of the sleeve 54. A com'pression spring 60 is interposed between the valve member 57 and an opposed top wall 61 of the arm so as to, tend to keep the valve closed. The lower part of the valve member 57 has in it a diametral slot 62 so that when it is raised to its open position as shown in Figure 7 air can flow across the seating 56 into the slot 62 and down through the sleeve 54 into the rubber bag to release the vacuum.

In order to open the valve a pivoted release lever 65 is incorporated in the arm 50 and as shown in Figure 3 has a portion near its middle resting on a ridge .66 to form a fulcrum. One end 67 has projections engaging below the flange 58 of the valve member 57 so as to be capable of lifting the latter, whilst the other, end 68 has a button 69 projecting through an opening in the upper wall of the pivoted arm 50 so that it can be depressed by the thumb of the user to open the valve.

A longitudinally movable latch link 70 extends from apoint adjacent this end of the release lever to a point near the pivot 51 of the pivoted arm 50, where it is pivoted to one arm 71 of a small bell crank 72 on the pivot 51 of the pivoted arm 50. The bell crank is acted on by a spring (not shown) so that when the button is depressed to open the valve the bell crank will turn so as to thrust the latch link 70 over the end 68 of the release lever 65 and hold the latter in its depressed condition thereby keeping the valve open. When the lid, assembly is raised the other arm 74 of the bell crank engages a fixed stop 75 which causes it to turn relatively to the pivoted arm 50 thereby withdrawing the latch link and allowing the valve to close again. A spring 76 surrounds the pivot 51 tending to raise the arm 50 so as partly to counterbalance the weight of the lid assembly.

Accordingly the vacuum may be broken at any time by pressing the button on the latch lever and the release valve will then remain open. If, however, the lids are opened this will automatically close the release valve and there is no fear that the user, having inserted a new load of clothes in the rubber bag and'closed the cover, will omit to close the valve so that the pump willoperate without squeezing the water from the clothes.

As shown in Figure 6 a delivery pipe 78 from the emptying pump 13 and a delivery pipe 79 from the suction pump 21 communicate with a common outlet pipe 80, comprising a vertical rigid connection 31, arranged to swivel in a fixed socket 82, and a flexible hose 83. The. hose is formed with an elbow 84 near its end adjacent the. swivel joint so that in its normal condition it extends horizontally and by means of the swivel joint can be projected over the washing machine container or over the back of the machine or elsewhere.

The delivery pipe 79v of the suction pump opens upwardly in line with the socket 822, while the delivery pipe 7-8.from the emptying pump extends upwardly alongside that ofthe suction pump to a tap 88 mounted near and abovethe upper part of the washing machine container. The tap. comprisesa fixed rubber washer $9and a stem 90 having at its lower end a. head or cup 91- to engage the washer and a helical compression spring. 92 hearing on the. head to keep the tap closed. The stem passes through a fixed body 93 and at its upper end carries a handle 94. The body and handle are formed with steps 95' and 96 which co-operate to keep the tap open when the handle is raised and turned as shown inFigure 6.

From the tap a branch connection 97 extends laterally to the. delivery pipe 79 of the suction pump so that when thetapisopened water emptied from the washing'machinemono type. The body 93 of the tap is mounted on a ledge or. shelf. 98. at the back of the washingmachine container so. thatanyleakage from it willmerely flow straight back into the washing machine container.

In order to prevent water from being slowly drawn. back into. the rubber. bag 25 through. the suction pump 21 if the motor is left switched ofi without the vacuum being released, a non-return valve 99 comprising a rubber-clad ball is provided in the delivery pipe79of thesuction pump. When the motor is running and air is being delivered from thesuction pump, the ball will belifted from its seating and will not prevent a small quantity of water from. seeping down the delivery pipe to lubricate and seal the suction pump, but if the machine is left for an appreciabletime with the motor switched oif and suction still applied to a load of. clothes that has been squeezed, the rubber ball willcloseand prevent water, thatmay bein the outlet'pipe 80'frombeing gradually drawn through any clearance in the-suction pump back into the clothes in the bag.

The arrangement described is convenient and-effective. The useof suction for the squeeze drier eliminates any danger of bursting and the particular partially balanced arrangement of the lids ensures that'whilst the bulk" of the atmospheric pressure is balanced by the pressure of the clothes, there is a suflicient resultant to ensure a reliable seal at the edge of the lid.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A squeeze drier for squeezing liquid from clothes comprising a flexible impervious bag having a mouth to receive the clothes, said bag having a marginal flange at its mouth to support said bag, a rigid member overlying said marginal flange and affording entrance of clothes through said bag mouth, said bag flange extending peripherally beyond said rigid member to provide a cover sealing surface embracing an area greater than said bag mouth, a cover for said bag subjected to atmospheric pressure on its exterior surface, means for applying suction between the inner surface of said cover and the bag mouth to collapse said bag, said cover having a first portion overlying said bag mouth for receiving the pressure of the clothes when said bag is collapsed by the suction, said cover having a second portion extending beyond said first portion into engagement with said cover sealing surface and subjected to the suction, whereby the area of said cover first portion on which the clothes act through said bag mouth is substantially less than the area of said cover on which the suction acts to provide residual atmospheric pressure for holding said cover closed against the force of the clothes on said cover first portion.

2. A squeeze drier for squeezing liquid from clothes comprising a flexible impervious bag having a mouth to receive the clothes, said bag having a marginal flange at its mouth to support said bag, said bag flange extending peripherally beyond said bag mouth to provide a cover sealing surface embracing an area greater than said bag mouth, a cover for said bag subjected to atmospheric pressure on its exterior surface, means for applying suction between the inner surface of said cover and the bag mouth to collapse said bag, said cover having a first portion overlying said bag mouth for receiving the pressure of the clothes when said bag is collapsed by the suction, said cover having a second portion extending beyond said first portion into engagement with said cover sealing surface and subjected to the suction, the area of said cover first portion on which the clothes act through said bag mouth being substantially less than the area of said cover on which the suction acts to thereby provide residual atmospheric pressure for holding said cover closed against the force of the clothes on said cover first portion.

3. A squeeze drier as described in claim 2, and said bag flange having an outlet for applying suction to the space between the inner surface of said cover and said bag mouth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,483 Graham Apr. 29, 1952 1,405,440 Randall et al Feb. 7, 1922 1,968,638 Ducker July 31, 1934 1,988,468 Woodward Jan. 22, 1935 1,993,201 Yandell Mar. 5, 1935 2,265,516 Chayie Dec. 9, 1941 2,372,753 Watson Apr. 3, 1945 2,633,726 Rand Apr. 7, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 341,740 Great Britain Jan. 22, 1931 1,015,196 France July 2, 1952 

